What began as a weight loss journey evolved into a realistic way of looking at food, nutrition and life itself. The number on the scale has become less and less important, and the practice of eating real, honest food has taken it's place

Thursday, April 19, 2012

I could hug a water buffalo !

One day, when I least expected anything beyond dinner, my life changed. We had been grocery shopping and I spotted something that was totally new to me, labeled Fresh Mozzarella.

it was also labeled with these funny words, which I came to learn meant Ovolini (egg size) 4 ounce balls, Bocconcini (bite size) 1.50 ounce balls and Ciliegine (little cherry size) .33 ounce balls.. ( pictured are ovolini and bocconcini). I brought it home, tasted it, and thus began a great taste love affair. It tastes like mozzarella that has been made with cream, gently cradled in butter and kissed by faeries. It is as if mozzarella put on a top hat, tails and went to a Royal Wedding. Heavenly !! Somewhere deep in my memory , I recalled my husband saying his mom would make a salad with slices of mozzarella cheese , tomatoes and dried basil, so we tried it with this fresh mozzarella. Pretty darned good. Then I discovered two shocking facts. First, this cheese is produced from the milk of this creature

the water buffalo ! ( pictured here is a male, which you will not get milk from, but you get the idea). Who knew ? Perhaps this cheese is the reason they are considered sacred in parts of the world . I would not argue against that concept ! Second thing was that the salad is often served in Southern Italy , using fresh basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I tried making it the authentic way, and was thus introduced to one of my absolute, favorite dishes of all times that is super easy to make and super delicious !

Insalata Caprese

1 lb Bocconcini

1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes

handful of fresh basil, torn

2-3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/3 cup good, fruity quality olive oil ( I prefer Sicillian)

toss tomatoes, bocconcini and basil in a bowl. Whisk together oil and balsamic and pour over the tomato mixture. Toss and serve.

Who are we ?

a 50 something mom with PCOS, somewhere in the sea of menopause who home schools , drug her family along on a weight loss journey and learned some important truths . Like so many other roadways, this one is also constantly under construction or dealing with potholes. The road is life itself, and is never a boring journey